A 66-year-old Eden Prairie woman died Wednesday afternoon after her minivan caught fire on an Eden Prairie highway, authorities said.

The incident occurred about 12:40 p.m. near Hwy. 5/212 and Mitchell Road, according to the State Patrol.

It appeared that Susan Jean Clark's vehicle began having trouble at least 1½ miles to the west on Hwy. 5, based on the fresh debris leading to where the vehicle came to a stop, the dispatch audio revealed.

Clark was found outside her vehicle and was on fire, the patrol said.

An ambulance took her to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, where she died.

There was no immediate word on what started the blaze.

Eastbound Hwy. 5 was closed through the evening commute for cleanup and investigation.